The robot boot that learns as you walk

Exoskeletons, devices designed to augment and enhance mobility, are fast becoming a reality, thanks to an explosion in research in recent years.
But one obstacle to widespread adoption is the need for careful calibration. To work best, these devices need to be personalised to their users in a lab, and that’s a problem if you want to produce a tool that can be used quickly and easily ‘out of the box’.
But now a team of researchers at Stanford University have developed an ankle exoskeleton that can adapt its assistance, while being worn by a user.
Read the paper: www.nature.com/articles/s4158...
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[@graydanerasmussen4071]

I noticed it was deployed on flat, hard surfaces only. How will it handle grass, sand, uneven dirt paths, or stairs? Nice starting point, though.

[@evionlast]

For a those with mobility issues this is great promise, for the rest of the people why would you want to walk with less effort, walking its a pretty effortless human defining ability

[@TechCrackedWeekly]

That's an understandable question. For the rest of people, it could be helpful in jobs with repetitive movements that would lead to deterioration that would then cause mobility issues. 🙂

[@peteyno7]

I wear AFO's(ankle foot orthotics) on both legs because I am unable to push off with my feet, these devices would give me my mobility back. What a dream!

[@andreataylor730]

If your 20 something, get off your duff... if you are 65 plus, then the number one issue is mobility, foot drop, tripping, and injury from tripping. Imagine giving your 75 year old self the ability to walk around the block or just go to the grocery store without falling.

[@Kre8-1duH]

​@@andreataylor730HEALTHY & 20 something I suspect you mean. I wish I still had my younger self's agility.

[@MvaneMC]

This is exactly what I need... after 3 severe injuries to my ankle and long rehabilitation sessions there was no improvement and only 3 months after my medical discharge, a fall again injured my ligaments and tendons. They cannot operate on me at the moment because I have very active lupus (SLE). but I would buy that boot without hesitation, I could resume my life again without fear of a new fall.

[@goranblazeski9725]

I can see how this technology can teach people how to properly walk in order to prevent joints and create muscle balance. As a physical therapist assistant we see people have poor understanding of their body and don’t know how to walk/use properly the body.

[@EH9]

To the people saying this is inappropriate for consumers without disabilities, you are correct, and the researchers probably know it, but it is more complicated than that. They need a lot of capital for these products to come to fruition even if it ends up as a tool for disabled people. They won't get enough funding pitching to potential investors about a product that has a small and very strictly regulated market, so they're keeping their potential markets as broad as possible for now at least.

[@stevekeller3643]

My father has Alzheimer’s- doctor said his body has forgotten how to walk. Painful to see him struggle even with a walker. Doesn’t pick his feet up & feet get “stuck” in the carpet. Wonder if something like this would help ?

[@gstv9]

Would be wonderful to help people with below the knee amputations. Only time will tell.

[@madhumithapremkumar3744]

Useful video for mobility issues.

[@1.4142]

I wonder how long the battery lasts

[@guldenaydin9918]

Thanks.🎀

[@TheSuperSushiMaster]

This is a fun prototype but it still needs a ton of work.

[@stevevokhe]

Hah! I was planning to do a similar exoskeleton for years now, good to see that i'm on the right track.

[@sebastianmontanez6969]

good but it would be better if they do it for us also for complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries something comfortable to use on a daily basis and can be easily purchased in applications for the world

[@SolaceEasy]

I recommend watching the movie "The Wrong Pants".

[@TimNalley-mh6we]

seattle

[@TimNalley-mh6we]

Netflix, Inc. Political Activi

[@flowerdiary9689]

GOOD NEWS TODAY.
I have a low back pain.　Thank you！
Happy fall and halloween🍂 👻🎃

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Been waiting decades for this now the designs have to come simple enough that we can build them ourselves

[@FHBStudio]

Absolutely wonderful for people with disabilities. Absolutely terrible for people who could do with every bit of exercise.

[@scifi_shop]

Need a chair version of this and add some wheels.

[@osobaum]

Kewl

[@fabinholdi]

Transhumanism is here!

[@footfault1941]

Judgement day soon to come! Interbet? Skynet!

[@manojithalder7448]

This is next human evolution. We enhance our biology by using advance technology.